The cats in my household have been in two distinct generations,
with a gap of a few years between the lots. The first generation
was the more typical, in which lazy, contented cats occasionally
went wild. The present generation are wild, wild animals who occasionally
are contented.

Pumpkin bids good night.

Of course, the first generation had the benefit of Pumpkin, who
from the age of six months ruled the household and who was everything
one might hope to find in a pet. Every night she would give me
a special "good night" by sitting on my chest and staring
at me and giving a pet or two on my chin while I stared at her.
After several minutes, she was content to go sleep on the foot
of the bed.

The second generation began one day when Sue decided that the
presently catless household should be catified. Instant gratification
necessitated going to a pet shop, in which Muffin was
found; however, rather than the happy little friend that we hoped
for, the kitten Muffin disappeared in the dark recesses of the
bedroom and no amount of coaxing could bring her out.

While discussing this new problem of how to get the kitten to act
like a kitten, Sue and I saw a small, dark shape zoom into sight,
smack a small ball that we were trying to lure her with earlier,
and then disappear again. The trick to seeing Muffin was to play
with her. When playing, Muffin is happy; otherwise, she's the
shyest animal in the world.

Cloudberry came next, for Muffin needed
a friend. And for once in my life, a hunch worked, and Cloud and
Muffin became the close friends. Cloudberry, though, is not content to be
known only as Muffin's pal, and persists in demonstrating what it means to
have a high energy level, whether standing up or diving into her favorite treat.

It was during this period that I made a remark that resulted in
Sue's nine-month project of bringing Moonshadow
indoors, the cat with the continuous purr, meaning that there
is some kind of master balance somewhere.

And when I thought life was safe, George climbed into the household. Nor should we forget Lucy. For that matter, no one would be allowed to forget Lucy.